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Accrington chairman Andy Holt initially played down the possibility of losing Bell to Vale, but Coleman said he was not surprised his long-term collaborator was being considered for the role.

"As well as being my assistant he's my best mate," Coleman told the Lancashire Telegraph. "You treat your best friends only with respect, so I wouldn't be stopping him having the conversation with Port Vale, that's for sure. But I wouldn't want him to go because I think we work well together. I think we complement each other very well."

Bell is understood to have spoken to Adams at Vale Park on Tuesday night when Accrington beat the Valiants 2-1, but whether they discussed the vacant manager's position is not known.

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The 52-year-old has no previous senior managerial experience, but Coleman said that was not an issue. He added: "It comes as no surprise to me that he's (been) linked because he's a very good football person. I would regard him as one of the best coaches around at the moment.

"Possibly because you don't get lauded as being a coach because people can have different perceptions of you, but anyone who's worked under us will see how much Jimmy's developed as a coach, and his tactical thinking as well."

Chris Morgan and Ned Kelly have been Vale's joint caretaker managers since Brown was dismissed on September 16 after a run of seven league games without a win.